The Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA), the PR and communication professionals’ peak national body is calling for entries for its prestigious 2014 Golden Target Awards.

The Awards, running continuously since 1975, recognise and reward excellence in public relations and communications. The 17 Awards this year include 11 for specific practice areas, and ‘best-of-the-best’ categories including Young PR Professional, PR Consultancy, and In-House PR Professional/Team.

Chaired by Allison Lee, PRIA Fellow and founder of IMPACT Communications the committee includes: The Red Agency/ Havas Managing Director James Wright, winner of  Campaign of the Year in 2013; Claire Salvetti, Managing Director of Mango Sydney, who recently judged the Cannes PR Lions; and 2013 PR Educator of the Year, Professor Gwyneth Howell.

PRIA National President Mike Watson said, “The Golden Target Awards attracted nearly 200 outstanding entries last year that help lift the bar in PR and communications practice. We expect that to grow in 2014.”

Watson says the Golden Target Awards have integrity as well as longevity. “Award criteria measure both PR outputs and client outcomes. Effective communications campaigns are judged by more than 30 independent PR experts,” says Watson.

The Red Agency won 2013 Campaign of the Year for ‘Save our Sons’, a small charity representing sufferers of Duchenne Muscle Dystrophy. The campaign achieved national prominence via ‘The Most Powerful Arm Ever Invented’ – the world’s first petition signing robot signing for those that cannot. The campaign generated more than 193 media articles, over 60,000 page views, 32,000 signatures, 557 social media posts, secured government action, and the support of a multi-national pharmaceutical company to commence clinical trials for new treatments. The campaign went on to win international PR awards.

Red Agency Managing Director James Wright believes that the value of winning the awards goes beyond simple accolades. “People want to work for award-winning agencies that do amazing work. Awards are vital for talent retention and attraction,” says Wright.

Early Bird nominations close 11 August with later entries accepted until 18 August. An entry kit is available from www.goldentargetawards.com.au. Entries are first judged on a State basis with the national winners celebrated at the PRIA’s National Conference gala dinner held in Brisbane on 24 November.

Award nominations are open to PRIA members only, although non-member agencies can join and submit. Case studies from 2013 winners are at http://www.pria.com.au/eventsawards/2013